How the G.PURE is Advancing Automated Sample Prep

The evolution of next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows has transformed biomedical research and clinical fields, yet traditional manual and semi-automated sample preparation methods present significant limitations^1,2. These include reagent waste, time inefficiency, contamination risks, and compromised reproducibility. Modern research demands precision, scalability, and eco-conscious approaches, underscoring the need for advanced automated tools like the G.PURE NGS Clean-Up Device from DISPENDIX.

This cutting-edge automated clean-up device addresses the challenges of contemporary NGS workflows, delivering streamlined processes, enhanced data quality, and sustainable laboratory practices. This article explores the need for advanced sample preparation techniques and how the G.PURE addresses these challenges, bringing significant advantages to ambitious future-minded researchers.

The Need for Advanced Sample Preparation

Manual and semi-automated approaches for sample preparation in NGS workflows have played an essential role in establishing this technique as a cornerstone of biological research. However, these approaches come with significant limitations, including higher reagent waste, more time consumption, higher chances of contamination, and reduced research quality^1,3.

The demands of modern biomedical research require precision, consistency, and scalability from NGS workflows. Today, there is an increasing emphasis on data quality and reproducibility, coupled with a drive towards cost-effectiveness and the need for more environmentally friendly approaches^4–6. Failure to meet these demands leads to delayed timelines, slower research progress, and reduced laboratory efficiency.

What is the G.PURE?

The G.PURE NGS Clean-Up Device has emerged as a robust solution to many challenges facing scientists performing modern NGS workflows (Fig. 1). The G.PURE is a dedicated, automated bead-based clean-up device, sitting beside the I.DOT as part of DISPENDIX’s suite of high-end instrumentation for driving NGS success.

Figure 1. The G.PURE NGS Clean-Up Device supports multiple biological laboratory applications, including bead-based clean-ups of NGS sample preparations.

The G.PURE is designed to be compatible with a wide range of laboratory setups and integrates effortlessly into existing infrastructure, accommodating both simple and complex workflows. It can be used for many applications, including DNA clean-up, nucleic acid and protein isolation, and sample preparation for downstream analyses like NGS and mass spectrometry.

Key Features of the G.PURE

The G.PURE NGS Clean-Up Device combines precision with the ability to manage low volumes, making it a versatile tool designed to meet the needs of modern research. It facilitates miniaturized clean-ups in 384-well formats using programmable protocols. The G.PURE's automated capabilities mean that complex workflows can be simplified and repeated consistently, ensuring reproducible workflows and giving researchers more confidence in their results.

Notably, the G.PURE incorporates modern technological advancements without compromising on usability. Instead, this device provides an intuitive user interface that lets researchers hit the ground running, with instant improvements in data quality and workflow efficiency.

Applications of the G.PURE

The adaptability of the G.PURE NGS Clean-Up Device means that it can help researchers overcome challenges in various applications.

Nucleic acid purification. The quality of DNA and RNA used for NGS and other applications like qPCR directly impacts data quality^7,8. The G.PURE ensures consistent and reproducible extraction of nucleic acids, which gives researchers more confidence in their results and mitigates the reproducibility issues plaguing modern research⁶.

Protein and biomolecule isolation. Protein analysis is vital for modern research and clinical applications, including identifying disease biomarkers⁹. The G.PURE provides isolation of high-quality proteins, ensuring that researchers get the most from their samples and can contribute to the next generation of breakthroughs.

Sample preparation. The G.PURE ensures that samples are of the highest possible quality, enabling researchers to fully leverage advanced techniques such as mass spectrometry and NGS.

Benefits for Researchers and Labs

The G.PURE NGS Clean-Up Device’s automated capabilities mean that researchers free up hours of time that would otherwise be spent performing tedious pipetting tasks. Additionally, the G.PURE eliminates the need for plastic tips, significantly reducing plastic waste and promoting more sustainable laboratory practices. By consistently performing clean-ups and isolations with precision and eliminating the risk of human error, the G.PURE significantly enhances research reproducibility. The G.PURE's compatibility with 96- and 386-well plate formats supports high-throughput applications, particularly when coupled with the I.DOT Liquid Handler from DISPENDIX.

Real-World Impact

The G.PURE NGS Clean-Up Device provides immense benefits for laboratories performing NGS workflows and other applications. For instance, without the G.PURE, researchers can spend hours performing NGS sample clean-up with zero guarantees that the clean-up will be performed consistently for each sample. This adds significant risk to NGS workflows, which is particularly problematic when handling high-value, low-volume samples such as those derived from patients. Furthermore, manual methods can contribute vast amounts of plastic waste in the form of multi-well plates and plastic pipette tips. The G.PURE does not use pipette tips and can be integrated within automated pipelines. This means that by using the G.PURE, researchers can immediately achieve faster, high-throughput processing of complex tasks with improved quality, minimal risk, and enhanced sustainability (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. Many manual and semi-automated approaches use pipette tips, contributing to plastic waste. The G.PURE NGS Clean-Up Device uses a tipless approach that promotes more sustainable laboratory practices. (Source)

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced biomedical landscape, the G.PURE  redefines efficiency and precision for NGS and other molecular biology workflows. By automating critical sample preparation tasks, it mitigates contamination risks and human errors and fosters sustainable practices through reduced plastic waste. With the G.PURE, researchers can achieve reproducible results, improve throughput, and allocate more time to brainstorming new ideas and interpreting data. The G.PURE empowers laboratories to meet modern demands for quality, scalability, and environmental responsibility, ensuring long-term success and advancing more ethical scientific approaches.

Discover how the G.PURE can revolutionize your lab’s sample preparation workflows. Download the G.PURE brochure now!

References

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2. Dahui Q. Next-generation sequencing and its clinical application. Cancer Biol Med. 2019;16(1):4-10. doi:10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2018.0055
3. Holland I, Davies JA. Automation in the Life Science Research Laboratory. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2020;8(571777). doi:10.3389/fbioe.2020.571777
4. Lee JH, Kweon S, Park YR. Sharing genetic variants with the NGS pipeline is essential for effective genomic data sharing and reproducibility in health information exchange. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):2268. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82006-9
5. Bistulfi G. Reduce, reuse and recycle lab waste. Nature. 2013;502(7470):170-170. doi:10.1038/502170a
6. Mitchell Crow J. Peer-replication model aims to address science’s ‘reproducibility crisis.’ Nature. Published online March 13, 2024:d41586-024-00796-0. doi:10.1038/d41586-024-00796-0
7. Kuwata T, Wakabayashi M, Hatanaka Y, et al. Impact of DNA integrity on the success rate of tissue-based next-generation sequencing: Lessons from nationwide cancer genome screening project SCRUM-Japan GI-SCREEN. Pathol Int. 2020;70(12):932-942. doi:10.1111/pin.13029
8. Vermeulen J, De Preter K, Lefever S, et al. Measurable impact of RNA quality on gene expression results from quantitative PCR. Nucleic Acids Res. 2011;39(9):e63. doi:10.1093/nar/gkr065
9. Hayward SJL, Chesnaye NC, Hole B, et al. Protein Biomarkers and Major Cardiovascular Events in Older People With Advanced CKD: The European Quality (EQUAL) Study. Kidney Medicine. 2024;6(1):100745. doi:10.1016/j.xkme.2023.100745